Peewee's or Bantams

Irish · Post by **Irish** » Wed Jun 20, 2012 8:19 pm

Based on some conversations at the rink. It appears there are some players that can play three years of Peewee's or move onto Bantams.

Is there a logical reason to play three years of Peewee's? Most people I talk to say it makes more sense to play Bantams.

Bantams = Speed, Size, and Checking.

Thoughts

skipperj · Post by **skipperj** » Wed Jun 20, 2012 8:30 pm

you would have to be irish to think that..... oh wait, never mind

Mnhockeys · Post by **Mnhockeys** » Wed Jun 20, 2012 10:47 pm

How about letting a kid of 2nd year peewee play bantam? Kid should make Bantam B1 level or above. Big kid and strong skater. Pro and con's?

skipperj · Post by **skipperj** » Wed Jun 20, 2012 11:53 pm

who says your association will allow the move up? oh, I bet you are on the board and prez, rubber stamp approved. How about letting him be with his friends at his own age group, have fun and develop.

Scout716 · Post by **Scout716** » Thu Jun 21, 2012 8:18 am

I think it is best for the kid to play with his Grade level, Unless Physical or mental limitation restrict them from competeing with their age group. An example. I know a kid who played as an 8th grader on a Pw team. (His Birthday made him PW eligable for MN Hockey) He was the only 8th grader on the team. most the 8 graders were on the Bantam teams. He will only have one year of Bantams before he is eligable to try out for his high school which is 10 - 12th. In my opinion if he plans on playing high school hockey he should have played at his school age level.
Now on the other hand I know a kid who has a PW was very small. He was a very good PW player, had the ability to play one more year of PW's, but chose to move up to bantams - figured he was pretty good PW thought the step top Bantams would be an easy transition. This kid lost interest in the game because he took such a beating and was very unproductive (as he was use to at the younger levels). so he became very frustrated - his parents now got on him because they felt he was not trying etc. an extra year to Grow, mature, etc may have helped this player. so I think it depends on the player, do not look at Wins, number of Goals, etc. Look at what is best for the individual playe;r what will make them enjoy the game and not hinder development.

BadgerBob82 · Post by **BadgerBob82** » Thu Jun 21, 2012 9:48 am

I think we've all seen examples Scout has mentioned. Some turn out good, others not so good. I'd say in general best to play at the level best suited for the player's ability. i.e., probably better to play Pee-Wee A than Bantam B2. But probably better to play Bantam A than Pee-Wee A if that is the ability level of the player. If the ability level is PWB-C, then Bantams would not seem a viable option.

observer · Post by **observer** » Thu Jun 21, 2012 9:58 am

I think it is best for the kid to play with his Grade level,

Agree. This is the group they'll compete with for a varsity spot in 10th grade so get them playing with their classmates. Each association usually only has a few in this boat where it's a question regarding what's best. Even if on a B team I think the experience will be better with his classmates.

BadgerBob82 · Post by **BadgerBob82** » Thu Jun 21, 2012 11:50 am

Age or Grade? Ability level is more important fit. Take it further, is it better to play JV in 9th or 10th grade, or Bantams?

old goalie85 · Post by **old goalie85** » Thu Jun 21, 2012 1:45 pm

J.V. is way cheaper. More games/ice bantams.

Scout716 · Post by **Scout716** » Thu Jun 21, 2012 2:44 pm

Again I think if your in 10 grade you better play JV over A-Bantams. Pretty hard to step into a high school program for the very first time as a JR in high school. Most high school coaches will let you know where they think you should play if your that 10 grader with bantam eligibilty. As far as 9th graders - they may not have the choice. a good number of high schools are 10 - 12 and the Coach will not consider them yet (unless they are able to contribute at the Varsity level)

I agree with OG85 - JV can be less expensive then Bantam hockey as well as better practice ice times..

BadgerBob82 · Post by **BadgerBob82** » Thu Jun 21, 2012 3:03 pm

Started as PW vs Bantam talking about better development potential. As a general rule, Bantam A hockey is "better" than JV. Often times Bantam coaching is better than JV. Longer season in Bantam (Oct-March) vs. JV (Mid Nov-Mid Feb) I think money would be the only reason to do JV over Bantam A. Bantam B-C, no question then JV. But from player development, Bantam A over JV.

old goalie85 · Post by **old goalie85** » Thu Jun 21, 2012 3:08 pm

FL has better coaching @ the JV level[Bill Coleman former cpt @ BSU] more Ice/practice/games @ BA. If the kid is going to be a stud on the pee-wee team[pp/pen kill/] and third line on the BA then I would say stay in Pee-Wees.

puckstopper33 · Post by **puckstopper33** » Thu Jun 21, 2012 9:34 pm

I think JV vs Bantams as a 9th grader really depends on the players specific situation, if a player is on a weak bantam A team and can enter a strong high school program then they should play JV, also if they are unhappy with the coach or something like that.
As far as peewees vs bantams I think that if the player will play A or B1 bantam they should play up and if they won't, play down.